A UK veterinarian with over five decades of experience has raised concerns that some dog owners are resorting to shooting their pets due to the inability to afford soaring veterinary costs. This increase in prices is attributed to many clinics being acquired by conglomerates, transforming them into chains rather than independent practices.
The veterinarian in question is David Thompson, aged 72. He has requested intervention from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He, along with others, alleges that certain corporately owned veterinary chains prioritize profit over care. Additionally, he asserts that some veterinary clinics suggest expensive treatments when less costly alternatives would suffice.
He said: “I know of dog owners in my community who, unable to pay hefty vets’ fees, have shot their pets to put an end to their suffering. That should be offering care, but the first question the big chains ask now isn’t ‘let me see what we can do for your pet’, it is, ‘are you insured?’ Or ‘what is your credit card number’.”
This narrative extends the story of corporate entities acquiring independent veterinary clinics to monetize the veterinary business in the UK and extract more money from their clientele.
The Daily Telegraph reports that in 2013, only 10% of veterinary practices were operated by large corporations, a number that has now risen to 60%. Additionally, numerous veterinary chains have established dominant market positions by providing their own pet insurance, leading to a tight grip over the entire veterinary industry, which seems to be increasingly pressuring the already burdened pet owner.
Mr Thompson lives in Stoke-on-Trent. He has written a public letter to the RCVS which he has shared on Facebook. It’s been widely viewed. He said that he was “unhappy that the veterinary profession, once beloved by the masses, is now considered a profession of greed, avarice and uncaring [professionals].
Apparently, the RCVS say charities should help pet owners with funding to pay for veterinary bills but how could they do this? Charities, as well, are strapped for cash.
Mr Thompson cited an example of a veterinarian charging £540 for one stitch in a dog’s leg with the dog under sedation.
He argues that you wouldn’t sedate a human in order to administer one stitch. He further states that “wouldn’t cleaning it and putting in two quick staples have done the job just as efficiently at a fraction of the cost?”
He is accusing veterinary practices of doing unnecessary work to further increase their income.
Mr Thompson is another person who has criticised veterinary practices in the UK. He would appear to be well placed to criticise because he is a retired veterinarian.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is conducting an investigation into the veterinary sector following preliminary inquiries that revealed evidence suggesting the market may not be operating in a manner that fulfills the competitive requirements necessary to adjust prices to the client’s advantage.
Vet’s oath
Isn’t there an issue here with a breach of the vet’s oath? The RVC says: “Our veterinary oath dictates we should do everything in the interests of the welfare of the animal under our care; we are also urged to practice evidence-based medicine”. Are the UK vets that are part of chains complying satisfactorily with this requirement?
